Hair curling clamp



M y 7, 1938. A. MAZZOLA HAIR CURLING CLAMP Filed March 20, 1936 Patented May 17, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in hair curling clamps.

In giving a woman a permanent, croquigncle or similar hair wave, the head of hair is theoretically blocked off into squares, similar to a checkerboard. The thatch or lock of hair constituting each theoretical square is tightly wound upon a roller. Before completing the winding, the hair clamp is placed in position with its clamping bars on each side of the thatch of hair, and the winding is then completed by making the final adjustments and securing the clamp or roller. A more effective wave is produced by reducing the size of the squares and increasing the number of rollers and clamps. Thus it follows that a less expensive wave may be produced by increasing the size of the squares and reducing the number of rollers and clamps required. However, the hair curling clamps which are now in common use are limited to the quantity of hair which may be clamped therein.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that under the present methods it is necessary to use a large number of clamps in order to produce an effective and attractive hair wave, and if the number of clamps is reduced, the wave will not be as effective or as attractive. The charge which must be made will be controlled largely by thenumber of clamps used and the time required to operate them.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved hair curling clamp which is so constructed as to enable the operator to produce an effective and highly desirable hair wave with a less number of clamps and rollers than is now possible.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved hair curling clamp having the latching means so arranged that when the clamping bars are swung together, said means will automatically latch, whereby variations in the thickness of the thatch or lock of hair held between the clamping bars will be compensated.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved hair curling clamp which may be easily and expeditiously latched in position, simply by exerting pressure on opposite sides of the clamping rollers; and also whereby the thatch of hair may be more tightly clamped because of the latching arrangement.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a hair curling clamp in which one of the bars has a latching member mounted thereon which is curved or arcuate so that throughout its length it has the same radii as the end of the bar on which it is mounted; the latching member will readily engage the locking means throughout its length, whereby as the clamping bars are swung together to accommodate the different sizes of the squares of hair, said bars will remain 5 in any of the adjusted positions.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view of a device constructed in 5 accordance with the invention, partly in section and partly in elevation, the roller being omitted 'and various adjustments shown in full and dotted lines,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same, one of the sleeves having its ends in section,

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the device,

Figure 4 is a transverse, vertical sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is an end elevation of the end opposite that shown in Figure 3,

Figure 6 is an underside view of one of the bars, the sleeve being omitted and illustrating the details of the spring,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the keeper, and

Figure 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the finger.

In the drawing the numeral l0 designates the frame of a hair curling clamp, which includes a pair of inverted, channel shaped, parallel clamping members or bars II and I2 encased in flexible sleeves or jackets [3. It is pointed out that this structure will cause the air to circulate through the passages and tend to carry off from the bottom of the clamp, the heat which is used in curling the hair and thereby preventing excessive heat from reaching the scalp and injuring the same.

The bar I! has a cross-head M at one end directed at substantially right angles thereto.

A bracket I5 is bent upwardly from the outer transverse edge of the head M. The other bar [2 has one end pivoted to said head by a screw it, Figure l, or any other suitable means. It is obvious that said bar l2 may be swung away from and toward the bar II to open and close the clamp. When the clamp is completely closed, (Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5,) the sleeves intimately engage each other along their entire lengths,

whereby thatches or looks of hair may be clamped therebetween.

A bracket H is ,bent upwardly from the outer end of the bar l2 and at the opposite end of the clamp to that of the bracket 15. This bracket I1 is offset, Figures 3 and 4, whereby a notch IS in its upper end is disposed relatively between the sleeves. The bracket I1 is provided on its outer face with a segmental or arcuate rigid finger or arm l9. This curved arm I9 extends substantially in a radius, which has its center at B, and which is also the pivot point of the bar I2. The inner face of the bill is formed with a plurality of closely spaced fine teeth 20, and will be seen in Figure 8.

An outwardly extending upright hinged keeper 22 is provided with an outwardly extending thumb piece 23 on one end and an inwardly extending arm or finger 24. The finger extends from the keeper longitudinally under the bar H. The end of the bar ll adjacent the bracket I? is formed with an upturned ear 2! (Figure 7), having an opening 2! therethrough. A stud or boss 25 formed on the keeper above the finger 24 loosely engages in the opening in the ear 2|, whereby said keeper is hinged to the ear and supported thereby. A slot 26 is provided in the keeper, so that the arm I9 may freely slide therethrough.

A laterally extending lug 21 is mounted on said keeper adjacent the slot 26 and is provided with a knife edge 21 overhanging the slot for engaging the teeth 20 of the arm !9 (Figures 6 and 7). The inner end of the finger 2d is connected with one end of a spring 28 which is suitably secured to the under-surface of the bar H, such as by encircling a, screw or lug 29. Thus, it will be seen (Figures 1 and 6) that the keeper 22 and the knife edge 21' engage the arm l9 and teeth 20 so that the bars II will be held in any desired position, whereby said bars are adjustable to clamp around varying thicknesses of thatches of hair. It is pointed out that the spring 28 acts to displace the finger 24 to one side into engagement with the side of the bar ll, whereby the lug 21 is tilted or canted to engage its knife edge in the teeth 26 on the arm l9. After the arm is once inserted in the slot 26 the latching becomes automatic as the bars are swung together.

As is shown in Figure 2, a hair winding roller 30 is provided for rotatable mounting in brackets 55 and I7, and the usual hair keeper or tongue 3| is hinged thereon for confining the ends of the strands of hair, previous to winding the hair on said roller. At one end, the roller is provided with a headed trunnion 32 for engaging in the notch of the bracket ll; while on the opposite end of said roller, a stub shaft or pin 33, hexagonal in cross-section, is mounted for engagement in a transverse slot 34 which extends inwardly from one side on the upper end of the bracket 55. A knurled knob 35 is secured on the outer end of the pin 33.

The upright bracket I5 is provided with an outwardly directed ear 36 at its upper end, on the side opposite to that in which the slot 34 opens. A latch hook 31 is pivoted to the ear 36 and is formed with a thumb piece 38 and a downwardly extending bill 39. The latch may be swung so that the bill 39 engages over the pin 33 when the same is in the slot 34 and secures it therein.

In preparing the head of hair for waving so as to produce what is known as a Croquignole wave or the like, the hair is theoretically blocked off into squares, as a checkerboard. In some types of waves, usually the more expensive ones, the squares are rather small. As each block or square of hair is wound on a separate roller, the squares are made larger for cheaper waves so as not to consume so much time and. not use too many rollers and heaters, as one heater is used for each roller. Of course, the larger the square, the greater the quantity of hair which must be clamped. With the ordinary clamp it is impossible to close the same with an excessive thatch of hair between its bars, therefore if the squares are large all of the hair is not clamped and consequently not curled. With applicants invention, the squares may be made as large as desired and satisfactory results are obtained, because the spring latch will compensate for the varying thicknesses of thatches of hair from each square.

After the hair is blocked off into the desired size and number of squares, the thatch or look of hair from the first selected square is partially wound upon the roller 30, in the usual way. The clamp is opened, as shown in dotted lines, at C in Figure 1. The clamping members II and 12 are then passed on each side of the lock of hair below the roller and latched. In order to latch the members, it is merely necessary for the end of the arm 19 to enter the slot 26 in the keeper 22, whereby its teeth 20 will engage the knife edge 21 of the arm. The operator, by pressing on opposite sides of the members, may force them together, which causes the teeth to slip over the knife edge 21' as the arm 19 travels through the keeper. Owing to the spring hinging of the keeper, it is obvious that a ratchet action will be produced while the latch is being moved to its latching position. When pressure on the members H and I2 is released, the knife edge 27' will prevent any retracting movement of the arm and thus the bars or members will be automatically latched in the position to which they are swung.

It will be seen, from the foregoing, that owing to the fineness of the teeth 20, minute adjustments may be made and the operator merely has to devote his or her attention to the pressing together of the members H and 12, the latching taking care of itself. The arm I9 is long enough to provide latching for a wide variance in thickness of the thatches of hair, therefore a small quantity of hair may be clamped as effectively as a large amount. After the clamp is latched, the rolling and curling is carried on in the usual manner.

When it is desired to release the clamp, it is merely necessary to grasp the thumb piece and swing it to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 6. This will withdraw the knife edge 21' from the teeth 2!! permitting the members of the clamp to swing apart and allowing the operator to open the clamp in the usual manner.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A hair curling clamp including, a pair of hair clamping bars, an elongate latch member extending from one end of one of the bars, teeth on one side of the member, a keeper on the other bar for receiving the member, and a knife edge on the keeper for engaging the teeth on said elongate member for fastening the bars in various spaced clamping positions.

2. A hair curling clamp including, a pair of hair clamping bars hingedly connected at one end and arranged to swing at their opposite ends, an elongate curved latch member having finely spaced teeth and mounted on the swinging end of one of the bars, and a keeper pivoted on the swinging end of the other bar for receiving and engaging the teeth of'the elongate latch memher for fastening the bars in various spaced clamping positions.

3. A hair curling clamp including, a pair of hair clamping bars hingedly connected, an elongate latch member carried by the swinging end of one of the bars and having finely spaced teeth, and a spring actuated pivoted keeper co-acting with the elongate member and having means for engaging the teeth of the elongate member, whereby the bars may be swung together and automatically latched in spaced relation.

4. A hair curling clamp including, a pair of hair clamping bars hinged together, a concentrio curved latching member provided with finely spaced teeth and mounted on the swinging end of one of the bars, a keeper hinged on the swinging end of the other bar and having an opening for receiving the latching member, a retaining element carried by the keeper for engaging the teeth of the latching member, and a spring mounted on one of the bars and actuating the keeper to resiliently hold the retaining element in engagement with the teeth of the latching member.

5. A hair curling clamp including, a pair of hinged elongate clamping bars, a keeper extending from the swinging end of one of the bars having a retaining element, a latch arm extending from the swinging end of the other bar and slidable across the keeper, the latch arm having teeth engaging the retaining element of the keeper, the keeper being pivoted, and spring means for engaging the keeper with the latch, whereby a limited swing of the keeper will release the latch arm.

ANTONINO MAZZOLA. 

